Winter santanoni Range Suggestions

[myselfnjit]

Hi
Thinking about shooting up for a few in this range over a 1 or 2 night trip an 2 weeks. Can anyone give me any advice? Routes, difficulty, Trail conditions?
Thanks

[Kevin]

Print this map and bring it with you. In the summer it's very valuable once at Times Square (the ridge between Panther and Santanoni). In the winter it may be less valuable since you'll have snow shoe tracks to follow, but you mind as well have it just in case there's still a tangle of paths.



I'm still looking forward to doing these in the winter. The frozen trail around Bradley Pond, which is normally very muddy, should prove to be much easier in the winter months.

Depending on your hiking speed, you may want to get Couchsachraga on one day and Santanoni/Panther on another. Couch is quite a challenge because of the elevation you have to reclimb to get back up to Times Square. It's also a 3 miles round trip from Times Square over many small bumps/false summits.

[Rookie]

Kevin,

Thanks for posting that map.
I've read too many accounts of people not getting it right.
I guess I better get it in gear and figure out how to use my GPS pretty soon.

[myselfnjit]

That map is great! Should I definatley be coming in from Bradley pond? Are there any campsites that make completing the three easier? I haven't been out that way so I am just trying to arm myself with as much info to make the trip less difficult.

thanks

[Dick]

There is a campsite shortly before reaching Panther Brook. It's an informal one of questionable legality I think, but often used. Of course, you have to haul your gear up there!

I believe there are also campsites to the right, just after crossing the beaver dam.

Others can confirm all of this better than I.

Dick

[Kevin]

There is, of course, the lean-to up the trail from Bradley Pond.

You may not need a GPS as these peaks, especially in the winter, get quite a bit of traffic (because the usually muddy trail is frozen over). The GPS would be good for emergency/safety purposes, but not required.